The Diocese of London has announced the first stage of its strategy to create resource churches across the diocese. Initially, 19 churches have been designated as London resource churches. Resource churches are part of the growth strategy of the London Diocese that builds on our 30-year history of church planting across every tradition, which itself is part of a long history of church planting stretching back into the 19th century. They will work with their area bishops to help to revitalise existing parish churches where we are looking to build confidence and stimulate growth, start new worshipping communities in areas where there is scope for new initiatives, and develop missionally-minded leaders and create resources for the wider Church. Every parish in the diocese was given an opportunity to express interest in becoming a resource church. The diocesan senior leadership team recently approved the final list.

London resource churches will receive a planting curate, a three-year post which will see them trained in the resource church before planting out after one to three years. These curates will be prepared to start new worshipping communities or help revitalise parish churches around the diocese, as well as being fully trained to incumbent status and deployable throughout the Church of England. A grant awarded to London from the Strategic Development Fund will finance 15 of these posts. In addition, the Diocese of London will assign curates from their existing diocesan allocation as planting curates in these resource churches over the next six years

Bishop Ric will also work with area bishops to designate additional resource churches in new areas over the next few years. Some London churches may also be called upon to deploy curates to plant and revitalise churches nationally at the invitation of other dioceses.

“London is a wonderfully diverse diocese, growing in both depth and breadth of ministry. I’ve been encouraged to witness how churches of all traditions and sizes are exploring different ways to reach out to their communities. London resource churches will play a key role in continuing to revitalise, expand and support mission and ministry in parishes across the capital.”

The Bishop of Islington, the Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, commented:

“I am so excited to see churches in London that feel called to give away leaders, people and resources to bless and grow the wider Church. These resource churches will join in with our strategy to grow and plant churches in new places, in new ways, to reach new people. I look forward to seeing this first stage implemented as we support churches across the diocese to multiply disciples and congregations.”